Another spring training that just might be Mariano Rivera’s last, and whenever Rivera talks about the possibility of retirement, he inevitably talks about the possibility of playing center field.

“Well, you know what, I want to,” Rivera said. “I want to talk to that man over there (pointing to Joe Giradi’s office). I want to. I’d love to. But, again, it’s not something I look at as a joke. I want to do it right. Hopefully. If not, I’m okay.”

Girardi is, of course, a little worried about his closer being hurt while patrolling the outfield in the ninth inning of a meaningless game, but someone brought up the fact that the bullpen is just a short jog from center field.

Rivera could take matters into his own hands.

“What if he was to run out there and say (to Curtis Granderson), ‘You’re out,’” Girardi said. “What are you going to say to him?”

Girardi said Jorge Posada was in his ear for several innings about playing second base in a game, and Girardi finally let it happen. There’s no doubt that putting Rivera in center field would be a senseless risk, but that’s someone else’s problem. I’d love to see it!. Keep Gardner in left, move Granderson to right, and tell Rivera not to chase anything more than 40 feet in any direction.